Azalea hurried to the kitchen before anyone else was awake. They had slept in the same position they'd fallen asleep in. As she roused herself, she quietly and quickly got off Liam. After yesterday's events, she didn't want to risk another heat flare. While preparing breakfast for the four of them, she tried to process what she'd mumbled before falling asleep. She had no idea if Liam had heard her, adding to her stress. Why had the Moon Goddess chosen this for her? Why Liam? Why an alpha?

A part of her was overjoyed to have Liam. He made her feel safe and warm, and she found herself constantly smiling around him. It was a welcome change from her daily life at the inn. However, another part of her felt differently.

Before Liam arrived at the inn, she'd been content, though not truly happy. She was merely getting by. After everything she'd endured with the pack, she'd thought she could live like that—alone, in quiet solitude. She hadn't wanted to confront the years of torment and neglect from pack members, nor the fact that she had a mate who was one of her tormentors and didn't want her.

Liam's reappearance had left her breathless, and she hadn't had time to process her feelings. Deep down, she was terrified. She feared losing Liam and returning to her solitary life; she feared being with him; she feared being Luna; she feared Gavin and Liam losing control; and she feared the heat and what it might bring.

"Um… Azalea?" a voice called from behind her. Turning, she realized she was crying and trembling. Lily stood in the kitchen doorway. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Azalea set down the potatoes she was shredding, wiping her tears. "I-I'm okay," she stammered, trying to mask her distress. She forced a smile.

"You can't fool me, sweetheart. What's wrong? Is it Liam?" Lily asked, approaching her.

"No, no. It's nothing. I promise," Azalea said, reassuring herself more than Lily.

"I'm not an expert on half-rejections and unmarked mates, but I know when someone's hurting. And darling, you are hurting," Lily said, looking into her eyes. Tears threatened to spill again. "Let's make some breakfast, okay?" she offered, attempting a distraction.

Azalea nodded. Lily washed the spinach while Azalea returned to shredding the potatoes. They cooked in comfortable silence, Azalea focusing on the task at hand. About forty-five minutes later, they had a large potato, sausage, and spinach frittata, and a pile of brown sugar banana muffins. Lily must have contacted Damien and Liam, because they arrived just as they were setting the table. Liam looked hesitant, making Azalea wonder if Lily had told him what she'd witnessed. Damien, on the other hand, seemed cheerfully oblivious.

"Good morning, ladies," he chirped, kissing Lily sweetly on the cheek. She blushed, wrapping her arms around him. Liam approached Azalea, placing his hand on her lower back as they watched the other couple.

"Good morning," he whispered in her ear. She gave him a small smile. "Everything okay, baby? I was sad when I woke up and you were gone." She nodded.

"Let's eat!" Lily exclaimed, breaking the awkward silence. Damien pulled out Lily's chair, Liam following suit with Azalea's. They passed muffins while Lily served the frittata. The men ate heartily, the room soon filled with sounds of contented munching.

"Wow, Lil, this is amazing. Since when are you this good at cooking?" Damien said, mouth full of muffin.

She giggled. "All credit goes to Azalea, honestly. I just helped here and there," she said, smiling at Azalea, whose cheeks flushed.

"You should try the cake she made for me, man. It was to die for," Liam said, beaming. Damien made a sad face.

"I like cake," he said wistfully.

"I can make us some dessert tonight," Azalea offered. He brightened.

"So, what's on the agenda today, you two?" Lily asked Damien and Liam, adding, "And Damien, slow down! You're going to choke." He mumbled an apology. Damien was not only bear-sized, but he ate like one too.

"There are a few things we need to handle this morning, if you ladies don't mind," Liam said, looking to Azalea for approval.

"We don't mind," Lily replied. "Gives us some time to get to know each other!"

"Sure," Azalea said, offering Liam a tight smile. She needed to suppress her anxieties and prepare for the next heat flare, though the hunter threat was even more pressing. Losing Liam to a hunter would likely kill her.

A hand touched her leg under the table, snapping her from her thoughts. Liam's worried expression met hers. Lily and Damien were engrossed in their own conversation, oblivious to them.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, just nervous," she replied, hoping a hint would prevent further probing.

"Don't worry, baby. Lily is here to help, and Gavin is under control now. Whatever happens, I'm right here for you, okay?" he reassured her.

They finished their meal. The men helped with the dishes. At the sink, Liam embraced Azalea from behind. "You smell heavenly," he murmured into her neck. She smiled. "You look beautiful, by the way. I like you in my clothes."

"I haven't even combed my hair today!" she exclaimed, remembering her rushed departure that morning.

"I don't care. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on," he said, smiling into her neck.

"You should go get your work done. I'll be okay."

"Okay," he said, lifting his head. He kissed her cheek. "Oh, and I love you too." Her cheeks burned; he had heard her.

Once they left, Lily approached. "I'm going to need the detailed version of this whole story, you know."

Azalea sighed. "Okay, let's clean up then. I want to shower, and I'll tell you everything."

"Fair enough," Lily said. They cleaned quickly. Azalea went upstairs to shower and change. Closing the door, she sighed, wishing Amy, her human friend, were a werewolf so she could confide in her without reservation.

She chose jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater—simple and comfortable. After showering, brushing her teeth, and styling her hair in two Dutch braids that converged into a bun, she went downstairs. Lily was reading a magazine.

"Feel better?" Lily asked.

"Yeah," Azalea said, smiling. She felt more in control, though still worried about Liam and the heat. Lily offered her a cup of tea. "You know, if you don't want to tell me, I won't be mad," Lily said.

"No, it's okay. Honestly, my only friend is human, and I can't tell her everything without leaving out crucial details. It almost seems creepy without the wolf context. I'm glad I can talk to someone who understands," Azalea confessed.

"I'm glad too. I hope we can be good friends," Lily said. "So, can you start with the whole wolf thing? I guess I don't quite understand how you're a werewolf without a wolf?"

"Let me start with my parents," Azalea said. She recounted her parents' betrayal, their death, her orphaned status, her upbringing in the packhouse, and the emergence of her wolf. She tried to omit some details, but Lily was insistent. By the time she reached the rejection, Lily was furious.

"How dare he? Oh, I have half a mind to go in there and kick his alpha ass! How could he do all this? What was he thinking?" she raged.

"It's okay. Honestly, I don't think I would have survived—we wouldn't have—if Liam hadn't rejected me. His timing just sucked."

"So, he came back, and you just let him return with open arms?"

"Haha. Not exactly." Azalea continued, detailing the past few weeks, the pain of separation, and her struggles. Lily listened patiently. The more they talked, the stronger their bond became. Lily, while upfront, was understanding and empathetic.

"I still kind of want to kick his ass," Lily said as Azalea finished. They laughed. Azalea's laughter was cut short by a sharp abdominal pain.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked, alarmed.

"Yeah, I think so," Azalea said.

"Damien will be getting a piece of my mind tonight. I didn't know any of you growing up, but I wish I had. I would never have let them treat you like that, Azalea," Lily said.

"Thanks, but you don't have to punish Damien. We've all grown up. He's been really nice and helped Liam a lot." Azalea removed her sweater, feeling hot. Lily's eyes flickered with concern.

"Yeah, well, I'm his mate and can still make him pay for it," she said, smiling.

"Pay for what?" Damien's voice echoed from the hallway. He approached, unaware of their conversation.

Before either could answer, another sharp pain ripped through Azalea's abdomen, eliciting a scream. Liam burst into the room, Damien restraining him while Lily shielded Azalea.

"Here we go again," Damien said.